ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
MSP for Cotton
State-wise production of cotton during current cotton season and previous cotton season, as estimated by Cotton Advisory Board  are as under:-
|
|
State
|
|
Cotton Production 
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Punjab
|
|
10.00
|
|
13.00
|
|
Haryana
|
|
23.00
|
|
22.00
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
26.00
|
|
25.00
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
87.50
|
|
95.00
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
75.50
|
|
82.00
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
24.00
|
|
20.00
|
|
Telangana
|
|
43.00
|
|
53.00
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
14.50
|
|
20.00
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
15.00
|
|
18.00
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
5.00
|
|
6.00
|
|
Orissa
|
|
4.50
|
|
4.00
|
|
Others
|
|
2.00
|
|
2.00
|
|
Total
|
|
330.00
|
|
360.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum Support Price  of Fair Average Quality  grade seed cotton fixed by the Government for current cotton season 2019-20 and previous cotton season 2018-19 is as under:-
|
|
FAQ grade variety
|
|
MSP in Rs./Quintal
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Medium Staple Cotton
|
|
5150
|
|
5255
|
|
Long Staple Cotton
|
|
5450
|
|
5550
The Cotton Corporation of India  is purchasing cotton under Minimum Support Price  operations in all the cotton growing states by operating more than 400 cotton procurement centres. State-wise procurement of cotton under MSP operations by CCI during current cotton season 2019-20 is given below:-
|
|
State
|
|
MSP Purchases during cotton season 2019-20 as on 13.09.20

|
|
Punjab
|
|
3.56
|
|
Haryana
|
|
6.23
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
3.76
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
11.05
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
26.25
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
4.43
|
|
Telangana
|
|
41.80
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
2.68
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
3.49
|
|
Orissa
|
|
1.61
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
0.28
|
|
Total
|
|
105.14
Every year, there have been the demands from the farmers of various cotton growing states for procurement of excess moistured cotton. However, as per Minimum Support Price  guidelines, Cotton Corporation of India  Limited is mandated to purchase Fair Average Quality  grade cotton only. CCI maintained FAQ norms in all procurement of cotton wherein maximum permissible limit for moisture content is 12 percent.
In order to motivate farmers to realize appropriate prices for their cotton, the benefits of bringing dry cotton for sale in Agricultural Produce Market Committees  are being emphasized by displaying posters by CCI at prominent places like villages, APMC, G&P factories, etc.Further, CCI has given wide publicity through print media, banners and posters at all prominent places like market yards, villages and G&P factory to apprise the farmers of its presence and assurance that CCI will be present in the market till last arrivals of FAQ cotton conclude.
As per Cotton Crop report dated 10.09.2020 of Directorate of Cotton Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, cotton cultivation for ensuing cotton season 2020-21 is expected to increase by around 3% to around 130 lakh hectares in comparison to 126 lakh hectares during cotton season 2019-20. Thus, there is no adverse impact on cotton cultivation due to COVID -19.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Lok Sabha today.
Vice President's Secretariat
S. Phangnon Konyak becomes first woman member from Nagaland to Preside over Rajya Sabha
Chairman, Rajya Sabha had nominated four women Parliamentarians to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons
Marking a significant moment in history, the first woman member from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, Smt. Phangnon Konyak presided over the House today. Earlier she had created history by becoming the first ever women member to be appointed to the panel of Vice- Chairpersons on July 17, 2023.
In a remarkable move to bring about gender equality, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar last week had nominated four women members  to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.
It is also noteworthy that all women members nominated to the panel are first term Parliamentarians.The panel reconstituted before the Monsoon Session contains a total of eight names, out of which half are women. This is the first time in the history of the Upper House that equal representation has been given to women members in the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.
The following are the details of the women Members nominated last week to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.
Smt. P.T. Usha:
- She is a Padma Shri awardee and a renowned athlete. She was nominated to Rajya Sabha in July, 2022.
- She is a Member of the Committee on Defense, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Committee on Ethics.
Smt. S. Phangnon Konyak:
- She belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. She is the first woman to be elected as Member of Rajya Sabha from Nagaland in April, 2022 and the second woman from the State to be elected to either House of the Parliament or the State Assembly.
- She is a member of Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Committee on Empowerment of Women, House Committee and Member, Governing Council of the North-Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong.
Dr. Fauzia Khan:
- She belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April, 2020.
- She is a member of Committee on Empowerment of Women, Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Smt. Sulata Deo:
- She belongs to Biju Janata Dal. She was elected to Rajya Sabha in July, 2022.
- She is a member of Committee on Industry, Committee on Empowerment of Women, Joint Committee on Office of Profit, Committee on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme  and Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Voice of a Good Samaritan to Serve Last Mile as Well as to Root out Social Stigma
Kolkata, September, 25, 2023
Both the husband and wife are HIV positive. They belong to Patashpur Gram Panchayat of the Patashpur 2 Block of Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal. They had access to toilet fortheir family members. But due to the stigma attached with HIV positive people, the family members denied the couple access to toilet, which is a basic human right as well as necessity.
The BDO of Patashpur 2 block, Shri. SANKHU BISWAS, on finding this out, took the initiative of getting the couple a toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission . It took a total of 15-20 days from initiation of the request on the portal to final completion of the construction of the toilet.
Such a step ensured the couple to access the toilet of their own and live with the dignity they deserve as a basic right.
Couple are happy that they have access to safe sanitation.
Sucha voluntary act from the part of the administration to save human dignity is also praiseworthy.
Meanwhile, the Swachh Bharat Mission  2.0 dashboard states that the total number of districts with ODF-Plus Model Verified Villages in West Bengal is 22 now. The dashboard also points out that the number of ODF Plus Model Declared Villages is 113 and the total number of ODF Plus Model Verified Villages is 62.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Sector Constructs Eight Eco-Parks to promote
Mine Tourism; Two more Parks to be completed in 2023
As part of the ongoing efforts of the Coal Ministry to develop Eco-Parks on reclaimed land and to promote mine tourism eight eco-parks have been constructed recently in different parts of the country and two more such parks will be completed in 2022-23.
Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi has inaugurated Jhurey/Bal Gangadhar Tilak Eco-Park of WCL in October, 2022. NLCIL has signed an MOU with Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation  recently to promote eco-tourism at Mine-I and Mine-II and showcase sustainable mining activities.
MOU between NCL and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to boost Singrauli Eco-Tourism Circuit and another MOU by WCL with Directorate of Tourism, Maharashtra are also to further promote Eco-tourism in coal sector.
In line with the sustainable development and greening initiatives Coal/Lignite PSUs have planted around 47 lakh saplings on 2300 Ha land from January to November this year.
Ministry of Finance
National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad, to be renamed as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management
The Government of India has decided to rename National Institute of Financial Management , Faridabad as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management .
NIFM, Faridabad, was set up in 1993 as a registered society under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, with the mandate to train officers of various Finance and Accounts Services recruited by the Union Public Service Commission  through the Civil Services Examination as also officers of Indian Cost Accounts Service .
The Union Finance Minister is the President of the NIFM Society. Over a period of time, the Institute has become a premier resource centre to meet the training needs of the Central Government for senior and middle level of management in the fields of Public Policy, Financial Management, Public Procurement and other governance issues for promoting highest standards of professional competence and practice. NIFM also caters to the State Governments, Defence establishments, Banks, other Financial Institutions and PSUs. It has ventured beyond training into the field of management education and runs certain AICTE approved programmes leading to Post Graduate Diplomas in Management, in various areas of Financial Management.
Late Shri Arun Jaitley, former Union Finance Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee, had played a stellar role during his illustrious career as the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs during the period 26th May 2014 to 30th May 2019. He oversaw a number of path-breaking initiatives, including introduction of Goods and Services Tax which brought the country under one tax regime, merger of Railway Budget with General Budget, introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code etc.
Aligning the vision and aspiration of the Institute for the future with the vision and contribution of Late Shri Arun Jaitley, the Government has decided to rename National Institute of Financial Management  as the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Dr. Jitendra Singh assumes charge of Ministry of Earth Sciences
Dr. Jitendra Singh has assumed charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences as Minister of State . Speaking to the media on the occasion the Minister Dr. Singh underscored the crucial importance of the Ministry of Earth Sciences in informing the masses on different aspects especially weather forecast. He said that the Ministry of Earth Sciences is extending crucial assistance to farmers across the country through scientific analysis of data and forecast. He pointed out that the unique weather forecast technology developed and being used by India at present is appreciated the world over and replicated by many countries .
Later, the Minister held a brief interaction with the senior officers of the Ministry and urged them to give further fillip to scientific activities that immensely benefit the common man especially farmers.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh assuming charge as Minister of State  of Earth Sciences at New Delhi on Thursday
Department of Space
'Sarabhai Centenary' programmes begin from today
Jammu, Agartala to get Space Research Technology Centres
The Union Minister of State  for Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that Jammu will be the first city in North India to get a full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre, devoted to research, academics and post-graduation study. The Centre will function under the aegis of the Central University Jammu. In addition to Jammu, the other town selected for opening a Space Technology Research Centre is in the Northeast in Tripura, where it would function under the aegis of National Institute of Technology  Agartala. This was disclosed on the occasion of the beginning of year-long "Sarabhai Centenary" programmes of ISRO , starting from today, that is, the 99th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO and the founding father of India's Space Programme.
Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that Dr Vikram Sarabhai always insisted on ISRO playing a meaningful role “nationally” and said it was a vindication that during the four years of the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we had succeeded in extending the Space related academic and research programmes to remote areas, which earlier had little exposure to the study of Space Technology.
The Centres of Space Technology at Jammu and Tripura, Dr Jitendra Singh said, will offer a new opening and an opportunity for scholars and youngsters who have aptitude for Space science, to explore a new career and research option.
Dr K Kasturirangan, Honorary Distinguished Advisor, ISRO in the presence of Dr K Sivan, Secretary, DOS / Chairman, ISRO, unveiled the bust of Dr Vikram A Sarabhai at Antariksh Bhavan, ISRO HQ today. He also delivered Sarabhai Memorial Talk. This was followed by Press briefing by Chairman, ISRO as a Curtain Raiser for the next year’s Vikram Sarabhai’s Birth Centenary Celebrations.
Ministry of Railways
All stages of recruitment of all five levels of CEN 01/2019 Non Technical Popular Category exams have been completed
Railway Recruitment Boards declared results of Level 6 posts
Empanelling candidates sequentially for each level is in interest of candidates as it will ensure that one candidate is empanelled against one post only
All the stages of recruitment of all five levels of CEN 01/2019 Non Technical Popular Category  have been completed and evaluation of the scripts of Skill Test is under process by each Railway Recruitment Board . Results of Level 6 have been declared from 06.09.2022 onwards by all 21 RRBs. RRBs have already initiated the process of Document Verification & Medical Examination of shortlisted candidates for Level 6 posts. Thereafter final empanelment list for Level 6 will be declared.
Empanelling candidates sequentially for each level is in interest of candidates as it will ensure that one candidate is empanelled against one post only. RRBs are taking all steps to ensure early empanelment of all levels in a time bound manner. The joining of candidates will be done by the concerned Zonal Railways for each level immediately after empanelment for that level is notified by each RRB. Simultaneously RRBs are engaged with conduct of CBT of CEN RRC 01/2019  which has started on 17.08.2022 and is still under process.
Candidates are advised to concentrate on preparing for recruitment activities being conducted by RRBs and should not interfere with the processes being adopted by RRBs which are in accordance with notifications issued in this matter, solely keeping the interest of candidates in totality.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Cabinet approves leasing out six airports - Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru through PPP
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the following:
- "In-principle" approval for leasing out six airports of AAI viz. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru for operation, management and development under Public Private Partnership  through Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee .
- Constitution of an Empowered Group of Secretaries headed by CEO, NITI Aayog with Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Secretary, Department of Expenditure to decide on any issue falling beyond the scope of PPPAC.
Benefits:
- PPP in infrastructure projects brings efficiency in service delivery, expertise, enterprise and professionalism apart from harnessing the needed investments in the public sector.
- The PPP in airport infrastructure projects has brought World class infrastructure at airports, delivery of efficient and timely services to the airport passengers, augmenting revenue stream to the Airports Authority of India without making any investment, etc. of these, for development of Greenfield Airports at Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Presently, the airports being managed under the PPP model include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin.
- The PPP airports in India have been ranked among the top 5 in their respective categories by the Airports Council International  in terms of Airport Service Quality .
- While these PPP experiments have helped create world class airports, it has also helped AAI in enhancing its revenues and focusing on developing airports and Air Navigation infrastructure in the rest of the country.
Background:
The increase in domestic and international air travel in India combined with congestion at most airports, and the strong traffic growth at the 5 airports which were privatized over a decade ago has attracted the attention of several international operators and investors. The airport sector is the top contender among infrastructure sectors in terms of international interest. International operators and investors prefer brownfield airport expansion opportunities with having more than 3-4 million passenger capacity. The airport sector may provide an immediate opportunity to attract foreign direct investment  by adoption of a PPP approach.
Therefore, it has been decided to lease out six airports viz. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvanthapuram and Mangaluru of AAI in the first phase for development, operation and management under PPP. This is expected to enhance the revenue to AAI and increased economic development in these areas in terms of job creation and related infrastructure. .
Election Commission
CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar meets bereaved family of Shri Shyam Saran Negi at Kalpa Kinnaur, expresses condolences
दिवंगत आत्मा के लिए सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि तभी होगी जब हम सब देशवासी मतदान में बढ़ चढ़ कर हिस्सा लें और लोकतंत्र की नींव को और सुदृढ़ करें - CEC Rajiv Kumar
ECI salutes the indomitable spirit & faith in democracy of the first voter of independent India
CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar expressed his deep condolences on the demise of Shri Shyam Saran Negi, Himachal’s pride and Independent India’s first voter. In a rare gesture and mark of gratitude for Shri Negi’s democratic values, ethos and contribution, Shri Rajiv Kumar reached Kalpa, native village of Shri Negi in Kinnaur district today to meet the bereaved family in person and paid floral tributes.
While paying homage to Negi's exemplary spirit & faith in democracy Shri Kumar said that “ श्री नेगी 70 सालों से ऊपर लगातार मतदान करते रहे और जाते जाते भी postal ballot द्वारा 2 नवंबर को अपना फर्ज अदा कर गए। श्री नेगी की यह कर्तव्य निष्ठा, युवा मतदाताओं के लिए एक मिसाल होनी चाहिए। दिवंगत आत्मा के लिए सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि तभी होगी जब हम सब देशवासी मतदान में बढ़ चढ़ कर हिस्सा लें और लोकतंत्र की नींव को और सुदृढ़ करें।” CEC urged all the voters in Himachal Pradesh to cast their vote on 12th Nov, 2022 in the upcoming Assembly Election, as a real tribute to Shri Shyam Saran Negi.
CEC Shri Kumar also conveyed his gratitude to over 1.8 crore 80+ voters and 2.5 lakh 100+ centenarian voters across the country for their contribution in laying the foundation of a strong democracy. उन्होंने कहाँ कि सम्मानित बुजर्गों के लोकतंत्र में निरंतर भागीदारी से निष्पक्ष, पारदर्शी, समावेशी और सुगम चुनाव कराते रहने की जिम्मेदारी का अहसास और बढ़ जाता है"|
During CECs conversation with family members, Shri Negi’s son recalled a gratitude letter by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar to Shri Shyam Saran Negi. He informed that Shri Negi felt jovial reading the letter and he will encourage youngsters in the family to cast their vote for active participation in the festival of democracy. It may be recalled that recently on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, CEC had written a gratitude letter to all centenarian voters across the country.
Shri Shyam Saran Negi passed away early this morning today at the age of 106 years at his native place in Kalpa, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. The Election Commission of India deeply mourns the demise of Shri Shyam Saran Negi and is grateful for his service towards the nation.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Active Caseload slides down to 22,28,724; decrease by 1,14,428 in last 24 hours
At 1.73 Lakh Cases, Daily New Cases are lowest in last 45 days
Less than 2 lakh Daily New Cases since last two days
Daily Recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for 16th consecutive day
Recovery Rate further increases to 90.80%
Daily Positivity Rate at 8.36%; less than 10% for 5 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up- 34.1 cr tests total conducted so far
India’s Active Caseload has reduced to 22,28,724 today. Active Cases have decreased since the last peak on 10th May 2021.
A net decline of 1,14,428 is witnessed in the last 24 hours and active cases are now only 8.04% of the country's total Positive Cases.
As part of continued decline in the daily new cases, the country has recorded less than 3 lakh Daily New Cases for thirteen consecutive days now. Less than 2 lakh daily new cases are being reported since the last two days. 1,73,790 Daily New Cases were registered in the last 24 hours.
India’s Daily Recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 16th consecutive day. 2,84,601 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.
1,10,811 more recoveries during the last 24 hours as compared to the daily new cases.
Out of the people infected since beginning of the pandemic 2,51,78,011 people have already recovered from COVID-19 & 2,84,601 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 90.80%.
A total of 20,80,048 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country and cumulatively India has conducted 34.11 crore tests so far.
While on one side testing has been enhanced across the country, a continued decline in weekly case positivity is noticed. Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 9.84% while the Daily Positivity rate has reduced and is at 8.36% today. It has remained less than 10% for 5 consecutive days now.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 20.89 Cr today under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. India is the second country after the US to achieve the vaccination landmark of 20 Crore.
A total of 20,89,02,445 vaccine doses have been administered through 29,72,971 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today.
These include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
98,43,534
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
67,60,010
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,54,62,813
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
84,63,622
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,67,66,581
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
298
|
|
Age Group 45 to 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,45,90,833
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,03,52,228
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,81,15,492
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,85,47,034
|
|
Total
|
|
20,89,02,445
Special Service and Features
5th batch of Tamil business delegation reached Varanasi to attend ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’
The fifth batch of business delegation from Tamil Nadu reached Varanasi to participate in the month long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’. The delegation comprising 216 people were accorded a ceremonious welcome late yesterday night at Varanasi Cantt. Railway station. The guests were seen to be at ease and were delighted at the grand reception amidst playing of ‘Damru’ and showering of flowers petals.
Apart from people of Tamil Nadu, the delegation also had people from Puducherry and other adjoining areas. The members of the delegation were overwhelmed with warm welcome on reaching ‘Baba Vishwanath’.
After Baba's darshan, the guests were taken on a tour of the temple premises and served food in ‘Maa Annapurna Rasoi’. Later on they also visited other heritage sites of Banaras in and around the temple area, and nearby markets.
As a part of their tour itinerary, business delegates later in the afternoon will also visit ‘Sant Ravidas Ghat’ on a cruise and attend the ‘Ganga Aarti’ followed by visit to other adjoining Ghats.
After witnessing the ‘Ganga Aarti’, later in the evening they will attend the cultural programme organised for the guests and local visitors at the BHU Amphitheatre.
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